Hi all, think this is the first time I've posted here even though I've been a member a while, this is my BK Dubow 1755 at about 3 years of age in Seal Liberty HH. I'm loving the way it's aging, you can see what it was like when new in my avatarView attachment 2978

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I like that jacket. Love a Dubow.
Well aged in 3 years.
Have you aged it in any way or is it Lundy from wearing the hell out of it.
Bit more hair on top of the head currently from the original picture I see as well.
Welcome to the forum re posting.

Good on you D97...hard wear is definitely the way to go
I agree with everything said about JC...top bloke and I know others have had similar experiences with Aero, Eastman and BK, when it comes down to Leather,options etc etc

Great looking Dubow D97, looks really comfortable on you. Just out of curiosity are you a tall bloke? Your Dubow looks like a second skin, as if you were born with it on, excellent. Some A-2's I've noticed don't look 'right' on taller people, even when they're made long.

I've had several vintage AN-J-3 jackets (three presumably issued examples - lacking the maker's labels as always - in seal goatskin and a civilian one by McGregor Sportswear/Doniger in russet capeskin).

Either looks fine - if you're going for goatskin then I'd certainly aim for darker tones, but the russet capeskin looked good in the lighter/warmer colour (it simply didn't suit me any longer - as I get older I'm gravitating towards darker brown jackets).

As to Ole? Who knows? I have my suspicions as it fits an MO, but nothing more than that.

Good luck with the jacket.

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Not at all Cav, I don't think Ole is associated with BK, well Platon anyway. Although kind of similar, Platon had a different way of expressing his opinion, not his style IMO.

I don't mean this to sound condescending but i think colour can depend on body type as to how it looks if that makes sense, and also the style of jacket as Earloffunk stated. I too think AN-J-3 would look great in both russet and dark seal, but I can see where the darker colour would be preferable for this style. It might have something to do with its cut, it is a little more bulky than say an A2. Also I just think the russet suits the label style jacket better as in the Duke above. Women seem to be able to get away with lighter shades so maybe its due to figure? Although,BK's russet has a rich earthy red tone to them, which I particularly like, as does their dark Seal, and I think this is more appealing to the eye?

Dr H, that McGregor Sportswear/Doniger in russet capeskin was a fantastic jacket, if only the sleeves were longer I would still have it. One of the most comfortable jackets I've ever owned, and the hue of russet is great. I seemed to prefer to wear it with lighter shades of jeans rather than darker Indigo, but thats just my view as I think it went better with the lighter shades.

I only recently sold the McGregor Sportswear M-422 that I turned up after having sold the AN-J-3, Matt.
It was practically the same in terms of design and hide (different coloured, two-tone knits, and a mouton collar) and fitted me just as well.
As you say, the most comfortable hide and a really relaxed design.

Great looking Dubow D97, looks really comfortable on you. Just out of curiosity are you a tall bloke? Your Dubow looks like a second skin, as if you were born with it on, excellent. Some A-2's I've noticed don't look 'right' on taller people, even when they're made long

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Thanks, I'm 6'1 on a good day. Don't know if the jacket is a long or not, I just sent my measurements and this was the one they suggested.

I only recently sold the McGregor Sportswear M-422 that I turned up after having sold the AN-J-3, Matt.
It was practically the same in terms of design and hide (different coloured, two-tone knits, and a mouton collar) and fitted me just as well.
As you say, the most comfortable hide and a really relaxed design.

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I remember those two-tone knits Ian, they were quite a look, very classy. I've not seen any other manufacturer produce their like, was it specific to McGregor Sportswear? I remember trying to find the like, as from memory I think one of the sleeve knits had been replaced, but couldn't find. I imagine it wouldn't be easy or cheap to replicate especially for a one off.

Interesting points guys. I’ve never been accused of having a nice figure, but I do like the russet for its character. Any thoughts of seal vs dark seal from BK? The A-2 above and the ANJ3 from skip both look pretty dark.

Waiting to hear back from BK on leather samples.

Hopefully the pound takes another dip, forcing me to pull the trigger.

Cav, the BK Dark Seal is very Dark, the darkest brown you could get, the seal is about 2-3 shades lighter and the russet is no where near the two others. Check out this old thread for the pics, I've picked out some of the pics from that thread as below, but you may want to stay below page 10 and backwards as that is where the pics of the 3 hides are, after that it begins to spiral down with on the way to Platon's final demise. and thats all history anyway. Bare in mind these are all old hides and Victory, and the colour varies due to the light conditions. I do believe the Liberty hides are similar in colour to the old Victory.

Left is original, right brand New Seal Roughwear I think. The seal still has more red in it than the original but you can see the tone difference in comparison to the Dark Seal. The original although faded somewhat are more true brown in seal colour. And from my ELC 33 Werber and other contracts on their website the hide colours are more close to original, more brown less red.

My AN-J-3 has gone away to have the knits replaced, so unfortunately I can't show you in this series. I don't have a BK in seal either, so have used my ELC Werber in Warhorse Havanna brown, its like a rich darker milk chocolate colour. If you hop on the ELC site its pretty close to those pics shown there.

First is that McGregor Sportswear AN-J-3 I originally purchased off Dr H, its an older image but a much younger me. It's not the same colour as BK's Liberty russet, as their russet is more warmer and redder, but will give you an idea of what a lighter coloured jacket in an AN-J-3 style will look like.

Next is combo outside in overcast light, Havanna brown pretty close to real colour.

inside under flourescent lighting, colour corrected for real colour, the russet in this image is pretty close to original the Havanna brown a little darker. I've superimposed my AN-J-3 as when it was brand new to give you an idea of the colour difference.

last is the combo out side in bright sunlight. Colour on both is fairly accurate. The darker seal would be a little lighter than in the picture above but not by much as its fairly dark.

B-man Its a lovely sharp looking jacket, quality. Leather is unreal, super soft, not as buttery to the touch as the BK liberty hides, but light and very malleable, i.e. not stiff; and as you can see Its weathering quite nicely and looks to be wearing lighter as it does wear. The Havanna brown is an easy colour, I think its nicer than what you'd call a normal military seal colour of the period, more brown and less green in it it if that makes sense. Its almost a modern colour and the ladies seem to like it .

Mines a tighter fit Im usually a 40 but went with a 38. The 40 was 23 chest which is quite large for me, whereas the 38 was 21 1/4, I just got the length to suit my frame. I could fit a sweater underneath but it would be a little tight, so its really a warmer season jacket. My only pick would be the zipper takes a bit to get used to, there's a special way to unclip the slider, and even then its temperamental, the first time can be embarrassing especially when in the midst of people I think it took a couple of minutes to finally get the darn thing undone. I'm getting better at it with time and assume the zipper will get less notch with wear.